The former prime minister of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višić, stated on Wednesday that he was unaware of the alleged cocaine smuggling involving his head of security, and characterised the publication of the information as part of a pre-election campaign.
According to reports by the Banja Luka-based outlet Capital, an ongoing investigation has revealed that Milan Vulinović, a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) of Republika Srpska, was part of a criminal group trafficking drugs from Serbia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vulinović, who led the security detail for the former entity prime minister, is suspected of transporting cocaine from Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina using official police vehicles, with the rotation of drivers, since 2019. It is reported that he used his position in the police to facilitate this.
Two other members of the entity’s MUP, Željko Đukanović and Srđan Raković, were also part of the group, which media reports state was led by Daniel Popović from Doboj. The group was uncovered following communication via the encrypted messaging app Sky, which was breached through international police cooperation, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of criminals worldwide.
In a written response, Višić stated that Vulinović ceased to be his head of security as soon as it was learned that he was under investigation, and that he knew nothing of his suspicious activities prior to that. However, he did not clarify when Vulinović was exactly dismissed, nor how it was possible that he continued to work in the MUP, where he was assigned to duties as an inspector responsible for training police cadets.
The former prime minister stated that there were always those who abused the system, but considered it most important that the police had done their job and uncovered Vulinović’s suspicious activities. "This sends a clear message that no one is untouchable and that no one will be permitted to abuse their position and the reputation of one of the most important institutions of Republika Srpska," he said.
Višić called on judicial bodies to thoroughly investigate the entire case, and on the media to publish only verified information given the end of the election campaign. This clearly alluded to the assumption that the affair had now reached the media in order to discredit Dodik’s Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD).
Višić resigned from his post as prime minister of Republika Srpska in August 2025, after which his party leader, Milorad Dodik, appointed Sava Minić to the position. Minić is now a candidate for president of Republika Srpska in the October elections. Višić subsequently received a well-paid job as director of the company Autoputevi RS.
